Amaria Diljohn death: TTC to review driver training, recruitment, monitoring
TTC to accelerate ongoing review of driver training after 14-year-old was struck and killed Friday
Toronto Transit Commission CEO Andy Byford says he will accelerate an ongoing review of how bus and streetcar drivers are hired and trained in the wake of last week's death of 14-year-old Amaria Diljohn.
"The tragic death of Amaria Diljohn Friday evening has shaken all of us at the TTC," said Byford. "I want to give the public, customers and all TTC employees assurance that safety is, and will remain, paramount in all that we do."
Amaria died after she was hit by a bus early Friday evening while crossing Neilson Road at Finch Avenue East in Scarborough.
The collision remains under investigation. The 27-year-old driver has been interviewed by police. Byford said the TTC is co-operating. So far, no charges have been laid.
The review Byford spoke of was underway prior to Friday's incident after a report surfaced about TTC drivers running red lights. The TTC CEO decided to accelerate that review in light of Diljohn's death.
Also Monday, a group of staff and students gathered at Highcastle Public School, where Amaria used to attend.
Stephen Miles was among the teachers who came to Highcastle, which was otherwise closed for the Christmas break.
"This is terrible for all of us. I feel terribly for her family and friends."